It is quite common for new mums-to-be to be concerned about what to eat, or what to avoid. Some foods are more nutritious than others, and great for nourishment especially during pregnancy, however there are a few types of foods that need to be had only in moderation.

A pregnant woman needs to have a healthy and balanced diet to get enough nourishment, vitamins and minerals, to support her and her growing baby. It is however important to remember that anything consumed in excess is not good for health, pregnant or not.

A particular type of food that has been written for centuries about its benefits is honey. Honey has been known for its natural sweetness as well as for its health benefits. Most sugars need to be broken down by the digestive process however honey is not one of them. It gets naturally absorbed into the bloodstream, giving the body an instant boost of energy. It has vitamins, minerals, proteins and no fat.

But despite all its benefits, is it safe to eat during pregnancy? Yes, it is, provided the honey is pasteurized, and of course certified. It is safe to eat only pasteurized honey as the process of pasteurization kills any microbes that could possibly make people sick.

Most pregnant women worry about eating honey during pregnancy with fears that it might cause botulism, however, botulism has only been known to affect babies once they are born, and who are less than a year. Spores in botulism are killed by digestive systems of adults and children over a year.

So, if you are pregnant, you cannot pass on any spores to your unborn child as your digestive system would have gotten rid of it.

Benefits Of Eating Honey While Pregnant

Honey, however, is known to increase blood sugar levels as it contains fructose, a sugar which raises blood sugar levels. Consult your doctor if you have problems with your blood sugar levels before ingesting honey when pregnant. Honey is also known to reduce water from the bloodstream, which means it can lower high blood pressure. Women with low blood pressure should eat honey in specified amounts, as per the advice of their gynecologist.

You can benefit from eating honey during pregnancy, such as:

Insomnia – mix a teaspoon of honey with a warm glass of milk, and have it before going to bed to help get relief from insomnia.

Sore throats – mix a teaspoon of honey with warm lemon water or ginger tea to soothe a sore throat.